RAF Museum Cosford – Final 2018 Open Cockpit Event on December 7th

The sole surviving Junkers Ju 88R-1 night fighter (wk.nr.360043) will be one of a dozen or so rare aircraft open to the public at RAF Museum Cosford during the final 100 Cockpits and Cabs event of 2018. This will be the first time that members of the public will have access to this unique airframe. (photo via RAF Museum)

Aviation fans will have the rare opportunity to take seat inside the cockpit of the Cold War era British Aircraft Corporation TSR2 and get a close look inside the unique WWII Junkers Ju 88R-1 night fighter at the final ‘100 Cockpits and Cabs’ event, taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Friday December 7th. The event will take place between 6:00 and 9:00pm and cost £13.50 per person

The event which has celebrated the Royal Air Force Centenary throughout 2018 at both its Cosford and London sites has given ticket holders exclusive access to 100 aircraft and vehicles, spanning the service’s entire career. The series of events concludes at Cosford in December, themed around aircraft and vehicles from the Museum’s Test Flight and War in the Air collection.

From the Test Flight collection and for the first time ever, visitors can enjoy on-board access to theBritish Aircraft Corporation TSR2, the only complete airframe remaining and one of only two examples in the world. Although never developed beyond the prototype stage, the TSR2 was one of the most exciting and controversial British combat aircraft designs of the 1960s. The increasing sophistication of air defence systems led the RAF to consider the procurement of a high speed, low level strike and reconnaissance aircraft to replace the English Electric Canberra. Christened the TSR2 (Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance Mach 2), eleven prototypes were ordered in October 1960, with the first maiden flight in September 1964. Initial reports indicated that the TSR2 was an outstanding technical success, however, political opposition to the project led to it being cancelled by April the following year. The cancellation of the project is a subject of great debate to this day.

BAC TSR2 XR220, one of just two examples of the breed to survive butchering in the hasty cancellation of what was a revolutionary aircraft design for its day. Overbudget and behind schedule (what aircraft programs aren’t?) this extraordinary aircraft became a political hot potato in its day, and was cut down before it truly had the chance to prove itself. Its demise effectively ended the British aviation industry’s ability to go it alone on new programs. The only initiatives to succeed in the years since have been with multi-national partners… making programs much more difficult to cancel abruptly. (photo via RAF Museum)Another fine study of the TSR2 which visitors to RAF Museum Cosford’s final 100 Cockpits and Cabs event on December 7th will have a chance to see inside. (photo via RAF Museum)

Other Test Flight aircraft and vehicles open on the night include the sole example British Aerospace Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) (close view only). Built as an advanced technology demonstrator, many of the features pioneered by EAP, including the wing layout, were later refined for the Eurofighter Typhoon, in service with the RAF today. Also included in the event is the Bristol Type 188, Short Brothers SB5 WG768 (close view only) and the Hunting H126.

Bristol 188 XF926 supersonic research aircraft was one of two of the breed to fly, the other being XF923 (subsequently scrapped). It reached a maximum speed of 1440mph at 35,000 feet, but never achieved its true potential as a research aircraft due to its overly limited fuel load. Despite its problems, the aircraft did contribute valuable information used in designing the Concorde supersonic airliner. (photo via RAF Museum)The British Aerospace EAP, or Experimental Aircraft Programme, was a technology demonstrator built during the mid 1980s. This airframe contributed significantly to the design of the present-day Eurofighter Typhoon. (photo via RAF Museum)

The event theme also extends to include a selection of the Museum’s War in the Air aircraft and vehicles and for the first time ever the Junkers Ju 88R-1 will be open for close viewing. The Ju 88 was the most versatile German combat aircraft of WWII, beginning life as a bomber, before becoming a night fighter and intruder. The type also undertook anti-shipping operations and flew long-range reconnaissance missions as well. It was during the Battle of Britain, that Ju 88’s played a major role in a number of daylight actions against British radar stations, airfields and ports. The aircraft was reasonably maneuverable for its size, and could take a great deal of punishment, however its lack of armored protection and insufficient defensive armament meant that it was relatively easy prey for British fighters. At the time of the Battle of Britain, the Ju88 was at the beginning of its service career and its remarkable adaptability, particularly as a night fighter, had still to be exploited by the Luftwaffe.

Junkers Ju 88R-1 wk.nr.360043 is a night fighter variant of the famous Ju 88. It is presently one of just two complete airframes in existence, although there are two or three other examples presently under restoration. The RAF acquired this significantly important aircraft when the crew defected and flew it to Scotland in May, 1943. (photo via RAF Museum)

Also open on the night in War in the Air hangar will be fellow German fighter the Focke Wulf FW190A-8/R6, the Hawker Hurricane IIc (close view only), Sopwith Pup (close view only), Boulton Paul Defiant Mk1 (close view only), Crossley Ptn 1940 and the Museum’s latest arrival the Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3.

Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8/R6 wk.nr. 733682 on display at RAF Museum Cosford. Interestingly, this airframe was originally part of the Luftwaffe’s Mistel program, and would have sat atop an unmanned Junkers Ju 88. The ungainly piggy-back combo was designed such that the pilot of the fighter would fly the pair of aircraft to an enemy target, whereupon the two airframes would separate. Theoretically, the fighter’s pilot would then remotely guide the explosives-laden bomber into the target. A handful of such operations took place, but they were not effective weapons. (photo via RAF Museum)

To ensure visitors get the most out of the event, there will be a large team of Volunteers manning each aircraft or vehicle who will be available to answer any questions.

A total of 300 tickets are available for the event taking place on Saturday 7 December and aviation fans will have up to three hours to enjoy the exclusive after-hours access from 6pm-9pm. The Museum will close at 4pm, however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open for ticket holders, before doors to the aircraft and vehicles open at 6pm. Plus, visitors can also enjoy perusing the Museum Shop from 4.30pm and take advantage of their 10% off discount voucher!

Tickets are now available to purchase through the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosfordand cost £13.50 per person which includes parking (minimum height restrictions apply).

Attending the exclusive ‘Open Cockpits and Cabs’ events is an opportunity to raise vital funds for the RAF100 Appeal, which is a joint venture between the Royal Air Force and the four major RAF charities – the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Forces Association, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and the Royal Air Force Museum. The aim of the Appeal is to raise money for the RAF family and to create a lasting legacy as we celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

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